pride

"Yes, I do comprehend a great deal in it."
"Oh! certainly," cried his faithful assistant, "no one can be really esteemed accomplished
who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough
knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the
word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of
walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but halfdeserved."
"All this she must possess," added Darcy, "and to all this she must yet add something
more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."
"I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather
wonder now at your knowing any."
"Are you so severe upon your own sex as to doubt the possibility of all this?"
"I never saw such a woman. I never saw such capacity, and taste, and application, and
elegance, as you describe united."
Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley both cried out against the injustice of her implied doubt,
and were both protesting that they knew many women who answered this description, when
Mr. Hurst called them to order, with bitter complaints of their inattention to what was going
forward. As all conversation was thereby at an end, Elizabeth soon afterwards left the room.
"Elizabeth Bennet," said Miss Bingley, when the door was closed on her, "is one of those
young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their
own; and with many men, I dare say, it succeeds. But, in my opinion, it is a paltry device, a
very mean art."
"Undoubtedly," replied Darcy, to whom this remark was chiefly addressed, "there is a
meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation.
Whatever bears affinity to cunning is despicable."
Miss Bingley was not so entirely satisfied with this reply as to continue the subject.
Elizabeth joined them again only to say that her sister was worse, and that she could not
leave her. Bingley urged Mr. Jones being sent for immediately; while his sisters, convinced
that no country advice could be of any service, recommended an express to town for one of
the most eminent physicians. This she would not hear of; but she was not so unwilling to
comply with their brother's proposal; and it was settled that Mr. Jones should be sent for
early in the morning, if Miss Bennet were not decidedly better. Bingley was quite
uncomfortable; his sisters declared that they were miserable. They solaced their
wretchedness, however, by duets after supper, while he could find no better relief to his
feelings than by giving his housekeeper directions that every attention might be paid to the
sick lady and her sister.